Raymond



27, 1931. WHITE 1,790,563

AUTOMATIC SUCTION BELL AND CURRENT CONTROL DEVICE.

Filed Jan. 20, 1930 I /Z I I 1 '24 24 INVENTOR. Far/vamp 1.. WHITE.

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 27, 1931 FIcE' RAYIJION D In WHITE, OFINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA AUTOMATIC SUCTION BELL AND CURRENT-CONTROL DEVICEApplication filed January 20, 1930. Serial No. 422,107.

This invention relates to an automatic suction bell and current controldevice.

The chief object of this invention is to provide a device for the intakeof mechanisms, such as oil pumps for automobile engines, wherein thesame normally is subjected to varying levels of the fluid to be pumpeddue to varying amounts of liquid and also due to surging of the liquid.

The chief feature of the invention consists in providing a directional,intake stream, current controlling mechanism and associating the samewith the intake of a pump of the aforesaid character Another feature ofthe invention consists in the provision of a suction bell responsive tothe suction of the intake and normally constrained toward apredetermined position when not immersed in the liquid to be 20 pumped;in other words, the normal weight of the bell is substantiallycounterbalanced.

Another feature of the invention consists in the provision of anadditional intake to the bell, which under adverse conditions ofoperation is substantially sealed.

A further feature of the invention consists in associating with the bella sleeve such that the bell and sleeve serve as a valve arrangementoperating under predetermined relationship.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a central sectional view of the device,showing the same embodying a valve control for the intake. Figure 2 is asimilar viewof a similar construction omitting the valve control of theintake.

In the drawings there is illustrated the intake of a pump construction,which herein is shown as upstanding, although the invention may beapplied with equal facility to a depending intake, as is well known inthe internal combustion engine art.

10 indicates the line to the pump; 11 the vertical intake riserterminating in the open mouth 12 and having a plurality of laterallydirected apertures 13 annularly arranged and in spaced relation to theopen end 12 in the intake pipe 11. A suction bell having a substantiallyhemispherical or partially spherical periphery includes an axial andpreferably tapered cup 15 and said cup is adapted to seal the open end12 of the intake pipe. The lower end of the bell through suitable means,such as the straps 16, supports in spaced relation a centrally aperturedplate 17, the outer end 18 of which projects substantially horizontaland beyond the open mouth of the bell and is in spaced relation thereto.

In Figure 1 the plate 17 is substantially horizontal throughout andincludes a central aperture 19. The pipe 11 supports a plate 20 thatprojects laterally beyond the opening 19 in the first mentioned plate 17and when the two plates abut, or when the bell is in its lowermostposition, the passage between the two plates is completely closed orvery ma- 7 terially reduced.

A coil spring 21 is shown bearing at its lower end upon plate 20 andsaid coil spring is shown as a tension spring; that is, it normallytends to extend and the upper end thereof engages an annular collar 22that is slidably mounted upon intake pipe 11. Herein said collar isshown of sleeve formation, the same being indicated at 23, and saidsleeve through suitable means, such as the straps 24, is secured to thebell and is movable therewith. Herein also a screen 25 is secured at 26to the open mouth of the bell and at 27 to the sleeve so that all of theliquid received. by the intake is screened, as it passes beneath thebell to the intake.

The length of the sleeve 23 is such and the sleeve is so positioned inspaced relation to the cup 15, that when the bell is fully immersed andseated on the end of pipe 12, the open end of said pipe is closed andthe apertures 13 are open. When the bell is fully elevated the apertures13 are closed and the end of the pipe is open. This condition is shownin Figure 1.

In Figure 1 the liquid to be handled is at a considerable height, sothat the liquid passes between the mouth of the bell and plate 17 andalso passes. between the two plates 19 and 20, upwardly and into theopen mouth 12,

which constitutes an auxiliary intake, the primary intake apertures 13,at this time being closed.

If the level of the liquid to be handled is lowered, which loweringoccurs by reason of the consumption of the oil by the engine, the bellfalls therewith. This refers to the posi tion of the bell when theengine is not running. When the engine is running, unless there is icein the engine, the bell always assumes the lowest position.

If the oil supply is sufiiciently low, the bell will be in its lowestposition and the open end 12 will be sealed'and the apertures 13 will befully opened. At this position the two plates arein substantial abutmentand sub stantially all of the liquid handled passes between the bell andplate 17. In intermediate positions the liquid may be supplied to thebell through the two passages and may be supplied to the pumpthrough-the two intakes in varying proportions.

This so-called idle position of the bell is determined by the effectivevolumetric displacement ofthe liquid and as a consequence,

the position referred to automatically changes with the change in theliquid level, i. e., lowering of the level due to consumption, untileither the liquid is so low that the bell rests upon the plate 20, orthe level is. at least sutficient or greater, such that the bell isfully elevated, as shown in the several figures.

The aperture 19 and the plate 17 permit the liquid to be suckedtherethrough in an appreciable amount only when there is a considerableamount of liquid in the crank case or oil chamber in which the device ismounted. As the level of the oil lowers, less oil passes through thisauxiliary supply passage and more oil passes through the primary passagebetween the bell and plate 17. When the bell is elevated the directionof oil intake flow between the two plates 17 and 20 is somewhathorizontal and of course the direction of oil intake flow between thebell and plate 17 is substantially horizontal at all times. When theplate 17 lowers with the bell, the amount of liquid taken throughaperture 19 is materially decreased and thus while the directional .owis important, the amount becomes less important, but even, this smallamount which passes through between the two plates is horizontallydirected by reason of a lateral projection or overlapping of plate 20relative to aperture 19.

Upon the application of suction to the intake pipe 11 by the pump, thebell immediately descends, due to the creation of a vacuum therebeneath,and if the oil is cold the cold oil will roll over the bell and hold itdown until the oil gradual y warms up, whereupon the bell is permittedto rise slightly until it seeks a natural level. Fuel oil intakesisaccomplished through the open end of the pipe when the bell iselevated from the end of the pi e.

Surging o the oil in normal operation of a motor vehicle has little orno effect upon the oil supplied to the intake when the same is equippedwith the invention illustrated and described. The plate spreads out thelines of flow and prevents so-called scouring by said lines of flow,which normally takes place in the average device. This scouring actionis always observed and is evidenced by a clean pan immediately under theintake of the present day automobile oil pump, showing that in theaverage engine not equipped with the device illustrated and describedherein, the sediment, dirt and the like, as well as water, areintroduced into the liquid circulation and re-circulated.

During the winter, in automobile operation, water condensation in thecrank case is great and in very cold Weather this water freezes, formingice. The device of the present invention is particularly effective andsecures perfect operation in spite of the ice, because when the pump isnot workingthe bell and mechanism supported thereby are in an elevatedposition, so that the water when it freezes will freeze below the belland thus the bell will be always effective and will not become frozenin.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings a modified form of the invention isillustrated and in this figure the similar parts are provided withnumerals of the 100 series. In this form of the invention, the intakepipe is again shown of '1;

tima-te object desired by an oil filter of the cartridge type, becauseit keeps out of the oil stream the fine grit and sediment that arenormally carried with said stream. It does more than that, however, forit is the first mechanical device which is ice-proof. It does more thanthat as well. It is automatic in that it adjusts itself to the suctionand it has a compensating action and travel, due to the association ofthe several parts and in relation to the suction applied to thecounterbalancing spring.

The normal position of the bell is with the plate 17 bearing upon plate20 when the engine is operating. When not operating, the parts arearranged as illustrated in Fig. 1, for the parts shown in Fig. 1.

One of the objects gained by sealing the end of the tube and uncoveringapertures 13, is that the end of the pipe is sealed beneath the cup andthe pull is directed laterally for no." Lao low positions of the bellinstead of upwardly as would be the case if the lateral openings wereomitted and the bell were fashioned so that it did not seal the open endof the pipe. Variation in the progressive movement of the bell in itslowering movement is controlled by the shape of the cup 15. The cup istapered in Fig. 1 and thus the amount of restriction is progressivelyincreased as the bell descends. In this way, the travel of the bell maybe controlled insofar as its rate of movement is concerned. In otherwords, if considerable opposition is to be imposed, the bell 15 wouldhug rather closely pipe 11. It but little opposition were to be imposed,the cup might be flared outwardly to a considerable extent.

The invention claimed is 2- 1. An automatic suction bell and currentcontrol device comprising a substantially vertical suction intake pipeincluding an intake, a dome shaped suction responsive bell, a guideslidable on said pipe and carried by the bell for guiding the same, anintake current controlling plate supported in spaced relation to thebell and movable therewith, said plate projecting laterally beyond thebell mouth, and means normally urging said bell against immersion, saidbell upon the application of suction to the intake moving in oppositionto said means.

2. A device as defined by claim 1, charactcrized by the force foropposing immersion being substantially equal to the normal weight of thebell and bell supported parts.

3. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the intake includinga laterally directed aperture and said guide comprising a sleevearrangedto vary the effective aperture intake area in bell movement.

l. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the intake includingan open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture in spacedrelation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to vary theeffective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed inopposition to the opposing force.

5. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the intake includingan open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture in spacedrelation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to vary theeffective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed'inopposition to the opposing force, said sleeve and pipe sealing bellportion being further arranged so that when the lateral aperture isfully exposed for intake purposes the pipe end is closed and vice versa.

6. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the addition of ascreen secured to 7. An automatic suction bell and current controldevice comprising a substantially vertical suction intake pipe includingan intake, a dome-shaped suction respons1ve bell, a guide slidable onsaid pipe and carried by the bell for guiding the same, an aperturedintake current controlling plate peripherally enveloping the pipe whichextends through the plate aperture, said plate being supported in spacedrelation to and movable with the bell and projecting laterally beyondthe bell mouth, another plate carried by the pipe and arranged to sealthe first mentioned plate aperture when the first mentioned plate abutsthe same or the bell is in its lowermost position, and means normallyurging said bell against immersion, said bell upon the application ofsuction to the intake moving in opposition to said means.

8. A device as defined by claim 7, characterized by the force foropposing immersion being substantially equal to the normal weight of thebell and bell supported parts.

9. A device as defined by claim 7, characterized by the intake includinga laterally directed aperture and said guide comprising a sleevearranged to vary the effective aperture intake area in hell movement.

10. A device as defined in claim 7, characterized by the intakeincluding an open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture inspaced relation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to varythe effective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed inopposition to the opposing force.

11. A device as defined by claim 7, characterized by the intakeincluding an open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture inspaced relation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to varythe effective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed inopposition to the opposing force, said sleeve and pipe sealing bellportion being further arranged so that when the lateral aperture isfully exposed for'intake purposes the pipe end is closed and when theaperture is fully closed the pipe end is fully opened.

12. A device as defined by claim 7, characterized by the addition of ascreen secured to the bell adjacent the mouth rim and guide for thepurpose described.

18. An automatic suction bell and current control device comprising asubstantially vertical suction intake pipe including an in take, adome-shaped suction responsive bell, a guide slidable on said pipe andcarried by the bell for guiding the same, an apertured intake currentcontrolling plate supported in spaced relation to and movable with saidbell and projecting laterally beyond the bell mouth, another plate forsubstantially closing the plate aperture when the first mentionedplatesubstantially abuts the same or thebell is in its lowermost position,and means normally urgin said bell against immersion, said bell upon theapplication of suction to the intake moving in opposition to said means.

1A. A device as defined by claim 13, characterized by the force foropposing immersion being substantially equal to the normal weight of thebell and bell supported parts.

15. A device as defined by claim 13, characterized by the intakeincluding a laterally directed aperture and said guide comprising asleeve arranged to vary the' efiectlve aperture intake area in bellmovement.

16. A device as defined by claim 13, characterized by the intakeincluding an open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture inspaced relation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to varythe effective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed inoppositionto the opposing force.

17. A device as defined by claim 18, characterized by the intakeincluding an open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture inspaced relation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to varythe effective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed inopposition to the opposing force, said sleeve and pipe sealing bellportion being further arranged so that when the lateral aperture isfully exposed for intake purposes, the pipe end is closed and viceversa.

18. A device as defined by claim 13, characterized by the addition of ascreen secured to the bell adjacent the mouth rim and guide for thepurpose described.

19. A device as defined by claim 1, char acterized by the intakeincluding an open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture inspaced relation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to varythe effective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when flee bell is immersed inopposition to the opposing force, said sleeve, pipe and bell beingarranged for suction intake control and progressive reduction of bellmomentum immediately following the application of suction to the intakeand initial bell m0vement thereby.

20. A device as defined by claim 7 characterized by the intake includingan open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture in splacedrelation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to vary theefiective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed inopposition to the opposing force, said sleeve, pipe and bell beingarranged for suction intake control and progressive reduction of bellmomentum immediately following the application of suction to the intakeand initial bell movement thereby.

21. A device as defined by claim 18, characterized by the intakeincluding an open end upon the pipe and a laterally directed aperture inspaced relation thereto, said guide comprising a sleeve arranged to varythe effective lateral aperture intake area, and said bell including aportion arranged to seal the pipe end when the bell is immersed inopposition to the opposing force, said sleeve, pipe and bell beingarranged for suction intake control and progressive reduction of bellmomentum immediately following the application of suction to the intakeand initial bell movement thereby.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

' RAYMOND L. WHITE.

